Last update Jan. 26, 2025
How to protect myself?
Protecting your Twitter account involves careful management of privacy settings and awareness of potential risks.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for enhanced security
- Review third-party apps connected to your account and revoke unnecessary access
- Limit data collection by adjusting privacy settings to restrict ad targeting
- Be cautious about sharing personal information in public tweets
What data are collected?
Twitter collects vast amounts of data, including personal information, behavioral data, location, device data, and interactions.
- Profile data (name, email, phone number, location, etc.)
- Browsing behavior across the web via embedded tweets
- Direct messages, posts, and media shared
- Device information, including IP addresses and identifiers
How are my data used?
Your data is used primarily for targeted advertising, content personalization, and analytics.
- Personalized ads based on your activity and interactions
- Location-based content recommendations
- Data sharing with third-party partners for advertising purposes
How can I delete my data?
You can deactivate your account, which leads to deletion after 30 days of inactivity.
- Go to Settings > Your Account > Deactivate
- Ensure no logins occur for 30 days to complete deletion
- Some data may persist in backups or for legal compliance
Historical privacy concerns
Twitter has faced multiple privacy-related controversies and data breaches.
- In 2022, data of 5.4 million users was exposed due to an API vulnerability
- In 2019, Twitter admitted to using phone numbers for ad targeting without user consent
- High-profile account hacks due to social engineering attacks
Does this service use AI?
Twitter employs AI to personalize content and moderate harmful content.
- AI is used to recommend tweets and topics
- Automated moderation for detecting harmful or offensive content
- Concerns raised over algorithmic bias in content visibility
What security standards does this service use?
Twitter implements basic security measures but has been criticized for past breaches.
- Supports 2-factor authentication (2FA) for accounts
- Data is encrypted in transit and at rest
- Notable security breaches in past years exposing user data